Pull-down device



Dec. 10, 1957 w. B. EDDISON ETAL 2,315,629

PULL-DOWN DEVICE Filed July 23. 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

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' IN V EN TORS, WILLIAM BARTON EDDISON WARREN E. ERIOKSON Attorney;

Dec. 10, 1957 w. B. EDDISON ETAL 2,815,629

PULL-DOWN DEVICE WILLIAM BARTON EDDISON WARREN E. ERIOKSON ZWMM I v Dec.10, 1957 w. B. EDDISON EI'AL 2,815,629

PULL-DOWN DEVICE Filed July 25, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fl G.6.

FIG.8.

- INVENTORS. WILLIAM TON eomsou WARREN smcxsqu V BY I United StatesPatent PULL-DOWN DEVICE William Barton Eddison, Ardsley-on-Hudson, N.Y., and Warren E. Erickson, Madison, Wis., assignors t0 Gisholt MachineCompany, Madison, Win, a corporation of Wisconsin Application July 23,1956, Serial No. 599,570 Claims. (21. 53-292 This invention relates to apull-down device, and more particularly to a seal pull-down deviceforuse with machines adapted to apply tubular shrink-fit seals tocontainers such as bottles and the like.

Heretofore, in the application of seals to successively presented cappedliquor bottles or the like, the seals have been positioned on the upperextremity of the bottle so that the upperedge of the seal extendedslightly above the closure cap. The seal extended downwardly and beyondthe lower edge of the cap, and when shrunk, it provided a tight sealbetween the cap and the bottle.

A machine for applying seals to bottles in a manner similar to thatdescribed above is disclosed in the copending application of the presentinventors, Serial No. 416,184, filed March 15, 1954.

Recent developments in the bottle capping art have created problems inthe application of the seals. Tamperproof caps are now in use whichindicate to the purchaser whether the bottle has ever been opened. Thesecaps are usually of the rolled, screw-on type and have a relativelythin-walled or weakened portion disposed circumferentially and spacedabove the lower edge of the cap. When the bottle is to be opened and theupper portion of the cap is turned, the cap will break off at theweakened portion. The upper portion of the cap may then be removed,leaving the lower portion on the bottle.

The disposal of seals over the entire ca including the weakened portion,would cause substantial difficulties in opening the bottle, since a sealwould resist the breaking off of a cap. It would not be feasible to cutthe seal circumferentially at the weakened portion, since there may beno ridge or other suflicient indication as to the exact placement ofthelatter.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned difiiculties byproviding a seal handling device for use with a seal applying machineand which pulls or moves the seal down over thecap until the uppered'geof the seal is disposed at a predetermined position below the weakenedportion of the cap. The seal does not interfere with breaking of the capwhen the bottle is to be opened.

The seal is initially applied loosely by the seal applying machine.During the subsequent pull-down operation, it is essential that the sealis prevented from binding on the cap or bottleneck. The inventioncontemplates means to prevent such binding so that the seal may beeasily moved down to its final position with substantially nointerference.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the best mode presentlycontemplated by the inventors "forearm/ing out the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a "top plan'view of a uia'ehin'e for applying tubular sealsto bottles and the like, and including the pull down mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view ""o'f'the "sealpulldown mechanismwith parts broken "awa and "sectioned;

2,815,629 Patented Dec. 10, 1957 Fig. 3 is a side elevation of thepull-down mechanism with parts broken away and sectioned;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the mechanism taken on line 44 of Fig.2;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of "a suctionhead and showing the suctionsurface;

Fig. 6 is a broken side elevation of a bottle in seal pull-down positionshowing binding of a seal to a bottle when means are not provided toprevent same;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig-.6 and showing the bottle in tiltedposition to prevent binding, just prior to the pull-down operation; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the position of the sealafterthe pull-down operation.

As shown in the drawings, the pull-down device 1 'is adapted for usewith a seal applying machine 2, such as that fully described in thecopending application identified above. Machine comprises, generally, arotary table 3 having a plurality of seal applying heads 4 disposedthereabove and adapted to rotate with the table for applying seals 5 tocapped bottles 6. The bottles are fed onto table 3 from an intakeconveyor 7 through an intake pocket wheel 8. Asbottles 6 move with table3, heads 4 apply seals so that the upper edges of the seals are flushwith or slightly above the upper surfaces of bottle caps 9. 7

As best shown in Figs. 6-8, caps 9*316 of the tamperproof type which maybe applied to the bottle in tubular form and then rolled inwardlyagainst the bottle neck to conform to the contour or the threads on theneck. A relatively thin-walled portion 10 is disposed slightly above thelower edge of each cap 9, portion 1-0 being formed by making acircumferential cut partially through the cap wall or by any othersuitable method. The lower edge of the cap may be rolled in under asuitable collar on the bottle heck, as shown in Figs. 68. The pulldowndevice 1 lowers 'the seals from their initial posit-ion as applied byheads 4 to a new position wherein the upper edges of seals 5 aredisposed at any "suitable position beneath portion 10.

Device 1 is placed between the discharge portion of table 3 and anoutgoiri'g discharge conveyor 11 and is adapted to move the bottlesalong a predetermined path. Device 1 comprises a pair of bottledischarge pocket wheels 12 mounted for rotation on a vertical shaft 13.Shaft 13 extends downwardly into inachine2 and may be driven off of themain drive shaft 14 thereof.

Upper and lower guide rails, 15 and 16 respectively, present curvededges to retain bottles 6 in corresponding pockets 17 as pocket wheels12 rotate away from table 3 and toward conveyor ll 'so that substantialhorizontal movement of bottles 6 relative to their general circulardirection of travel is prevented. A relatively smooth platform 18 isdisposed between table 3 and conveyor 11 and horizontally therewith forvertical support of bottles 6 as they pass therebetween.

Shaft 13 extends 'upwardlyfro'm p'ocket wheels 12 and has a sleeve 19fixedly mounted thereon slightly above the uppermost pocket wheel. Aninterchangeable spacer ring 20 is mounted for rotation with shaft 13 andrests on sleeve 19. Spacer 20 supports a pull-down spider 21 alsomounted on shaft 13 and keyed thereto 'for rotation therewith.

Spider 21 has a hub portion 22 which is concentric with shaft 13. Aplurality of spider arms 23 extend slightly downwardly and outwardlyfrom the lower end portion of hub 22, with the outer end portion of eacharm serving as the lower support for a pair of vertical guide rods 24and 25 respectively, described more fully hereinafter. The upperends ofrods24 and 25 are re cured in substantially circumferential alignment bya stud ring 26 to'wliich the rods are bolted.

Spider 21 is secured to shaft 13 by a tightening bolt 27 which passesdownwardly through the vertical axial opening in the spider and into theupper end portion of shaft 13.

An annular cam valve body 28 is disposed concentrically around the hubportion of pull-down spider 21 and is adapted to remain in a fixedposition relative to the rotary movement of spider 21. Rotation ofspider 21 relative to cam valve 28 is enhanced by a pair of verticallyspaced annular bearing members 29 disposed therebetween. Upper and lowerbearing members 29 are spaced apart by a spacer band 30 disposedconcentrically adjacent the outer midportion of hub 22. Upper member 29is secured tightly against the upper edge of band 30 by inner and outerclamp rings 31 and 32 respectively. Inner ring 31 is bolted to hub 22while outer ring 3-2 is bolted to cam valve 28. Annular sealing washers33 are disposed between upper bearing 29 and clamp rings 31 and 32, andbetween lower bearing 29 and a lower clamp ring 34. Washers 33 willpresent little if any frictional resistance to ring 31 and spider 21when the latter rotate relative to the washers. Lower bearing 29 issecured tightly against the lower edge of band 36) by clamp ring 34which is bolted or otherwise secured to cam valve 28.

Cam valve 28 is prevented from rotating with spider 21 by an upwardlyextending pin 35 disposed on the upper surface of valve 28 and with thepin mounted in the slotted inner end portion of a stationary arm 36. Theouter end of arm 36 is clamped to one end of vertical hollow shaft 37,the other end portion of which is fixedly mounted to the frame of thesealing machine. If desired, other means may be utilized to hold arm 36stationary.

A valve ring 38 is disposed adjacent the outer portion of the lowerhorizontal surface of cam valve 28 and is pressed up against the matingsurface of valve 28 by a plurality of springs 39 vertically mountedbetween valve ring 38 and an upwardly extending boss 40 on eachalternate spider arm 23. An upwardly extending boss 41 is disposed oneach remaining spider arm 23 and receives a drive pin 42 which extendsupwardly into an opening in valve ring 38. Drive pins 41 serve as theconnection between valve ring 38 and spider 21 so they rotate together.

A vertical passageway 43 is disposed in cam valve 28 and is connected atits upper end to one end of a flexible conduit 44. The other end ofconduit 44 is connected to hollow shaft 37, while the lower end of thelatter is connected through a conduit 45 to a suitable vacuum source,not shown.

Passageway 43 passes downwardly through cam valve 28 and has a slot 46therein which is adapted to register periodically with each of aplurality of spaced openings in the upper surface of valve ring 38. Eachopening in ring 38 forms part of a chamber 47 which connects to anopening in the outer circumferential edge of ring 38, with the latteropenings'being connected to a suitable flexible conduit 48.

The number of chambers 47 correspond to the number of spider arms. Eachconduit 48 passes from its respective chamber 47 to a brace member 49mounted on guide rods 24 and 25 in a manner to be described. A suctionhead 50 is mounted on the outer vertical face of each brace 49 and hasan arcuate concave surface 51 for presentation to a seal 5 which hasalready been applied to a bottle top. A plurality of openings 52 aredisposed in the face of surface 51 and connect through a passageway 53in head 50 and brace 49 to a conduit 48. Grooves 54 interconnect all theopenings 52 so that a more uniform suction is applied to a seal 5-.

Brace 49 has a vertical tubular portion 55 which is slidably mounted onguide rod 24. Portion 55 has a cam follower 56 thereon which is adaptedto ride in a circumferential cam groove or surface 57 disposed in theouter face of cam valve 28. Brace 49 is kept from rotating around guiderod 24 by a pair of spaced flanges 58 which receive guide rod 25therebetween.

The orientation of cam groove 57 is such that, as spider 21 rotates,suction heads 50 will travel up and down with braces 49 on rods 24 and25 as cam followers 56 follow the groove 57.

The spacing of chambers 47 is such that a chamber will register withpassageway 43 when the suction head 50 to which the particular chamberis connected is at its uppermost position just prior to the sealpull-down operation. Changes in timing of the suction for the heads maybe made by shifting the relative fixed position of cam valve 28 or bychanging the size of slot 46. Shifting of cam valve 28 may beaccomplished by turning arm 36 about shaft 37 thereby allowing pin 35 toshift in the slotted inner end portion of the arm.

Operation of the device is as follows:

Assume that heads 4 on machine 2 have applied seals 5 to a plurality ofbottles 6 in succession, so that the upper edges of the seals aredisposed adjacent the upper horizontal surface of caps 9. As bottles 6travel clockwise around table 3, they approach and finally enter pockets17 in pocket wheels 12, and are carried counterclockwise around a circleof which shaft 13 is the center.

As each bottle 6 enters a pocket 17, the seal 5 is engaged by theconcave surface 51 of a suction head 56. Surface 51 surroundsapproximately one-half of the seals outer surface. As the bottle travelsaround in pocket 17, it is supported vertically by platform 18 and itslower outer wall portion is supported against substantial horizontalmovement by lower pocket wheel 12 and the arcuate edge of lower rail 16.

When a bottle 6 enters a pocket 17 and is engaged by a head 50, slot 46registers with a chamber 47 leading to the respective head so thatsuction is applied to approximately one-half of the face of the seal 5.As bottle 6 progresses counterclockwise, the head 50 will traveldownwardly due to the positioning of cam groove 57 and will carry seal 5with it, due to the suction applied. When the seal has reached the limitof desired downward movement, such as when the upper edge of the seal isbeneath the thin-walled portion 10 but above the lower edge of cap 9,slot 46 no longer will register with a chamber 47 and the vacuum suctionwill be cut off at head 59.

Since each head 50 engages only one side of a seal 5. there may beinstances where the suction applied would cause the seal to bulge awayfrom the bottle neck on the head side, such as when a bottle is nottruly cylindrical. This would cause the seal 5 to bind to the far sideof the bottle, and hamper a smooth pull-down operation. This conditionis illustrated in Fig. 6.

The pull-down device includes means to prevent such binding, said meansoperating to provide a firm intimate contact between the head side ofeach seal and the bottle and/ or cap so that there is a maximumclearance or bulge on the free side.

Such means may operate to provide a relative horizontal shift between abottle 6 and the respective head 50 so that surface 51 always pressesthe head side of the seal 'firmly against the bottle.

One shifting means is best illustrated in Figs. 3, 7 and 8, andcontemplates placing the geometric center line 59 of each concavesurface 51 radially outwardly of the central axis 60 of each verticallydisposed bottle 6. In addition, the arcuate edge of upper rail 15 isdisposed radially outwardly from a plane passing vertically upwardlyfrom the arcuate edge of lower rail 16.

When a seal 5 is engaged by a head 50, the bottle will be tiltedradially outwardly slightly, so that surface 51 presses seal 5 againstthe bottle to prevent slack on the head side and prevent binding on thefree side. The seal may then be pulled downwardly on the bottle withsubstantially no interference.

After a seal 5 has been pulled down to its proper position, such as thatshown in Fig. 8, and the suction is cut placement thereof and for'othe'rpurposes.

charge conveyor 11 whereittravelsto the next desired location. v V

The invention provides a'n'ovel means for displacing applied sealsaxially on a bottl'e'to allow a more desirable The device is safe,easily adjustable and fast' operating. Binding of the seals to thebottles during the pull-down operation is eliminated.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated asbeingwithin the scope of'the following claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention.

We claim:

1. In combination with a machine for applying tubular seals tocontainers and the like and wherein said machine disposes the sealsadjacent the upper extremity of the containers, mechanism disposedadjacent the discharge of said machine with said mechanism comprising,means to receive said containers from said machine and tomove thecontainers along a predetermined path, and means disposed adjacent saidfirst-named means to engage the seals initially disposed on the upperportions of said containers and to move the seals downwardly thereon toa predetermined position as the containers arebeing moved along saidpath.

2. In combination with a machine for applying tubular seals tocontainers and the like and wherein said machine disposes the sealsadjacent the upper extremity of the containers, mechanism disposedadjacent the discharge of said machine with said mechanism comprising,means to receive said containers from said machine and to move thecontainers along apredetermined path, means disposed adjacent saidreceiving and moving means to engage the seals initially disposed on-theupper portions of said containers and to move the seals downwardlythereon to a prcdetermined position as the containers travel along saidpath, and means to produce a relative shift between each container andsaid seal engaging-means to prevent binding of the seals to thecontainersas 'the seals are moved downwardly.

3. In combination with a machine for applying tubular seals tocontainers and the like and wherein said machine disposes the sealsadjacent the upper extremity of the containers, mechanism disposedadjacent the discharge of said machine with said mechanism comprising,means to receive each container in succession from said machine and tomove the container along a-predetermined path, means responsive to themovement of said receiving and moving means to engage one side of theseal initially disposed on the upper portion of a container and to movethe seal downwardly thereon to a predetermined position as the containertravels along said path, and means 'to produce a firm contact betweenthe seal and the container adjacent said'one'side of the seal to provideclearance between the other side of the seal and the container toprevent binding of said other side of the seal to the container as theseal is moved downwardly.

4. In combination with a machine for applying tubular seals tocontainers and the like and wherein said machine disposes the sealsadjacent the upper extremity of the containers, mechanism disposedadjacent the discharge of said machine with said mechanism comprising,means to receive each container in succession from said machine and tomove the container along a predetermined path, means to support eachcontainer to prevent substantial horizontal and vertical movementthereof relative to the direction of travel of the container, meansresponsive to the movement of said receiving and moving meansto engageone side of the seal initially dis posed on the upper portion of acontainer and to move the seal downwardly thereon to a predeterminedposition as the container travels along said path, and means to tilt thecontainer at an angle from the vertical to prevent binding of the otherside of the seal to the container as theseal is moved downwardly, saidcontainer supporting means being "disposed to allow said tilting.

5. In a mechanism of the classdescribed for handling containers havingtubular seals disposed thereon, at least one rotary pocket wheel forreceiving a plurality of containers in succession and for moving thecontainers in a substantially circular path, guide means for retainingthe containers in the pocket wheel, and means rotating with 'said pocketwheel for engaging the seal on each container and'for displacing theseal from its initial position.

6. In a mechanism of the class described for handling containers havingtubular seals disposed thereon, at least one rotary pocket wheel forreceiving a plurality of containers in succession and for moving thecontainers in a substantially circular path, guide means for retainingthe containers in the pocket wheel, means rotating with said pocketwheel for engaging the seal on each container and for displacing theseal from its initial position, and means to produce a substantialclearance between said seal and the side of the container opposite saidseal engaging-means to prevent binding of the seal to the container asthe seal is displaced.

7. In a mechanism of the class described for handling containers havingtubular seals disposed thereon, at least one rotary pocket wheel forreceiving a plurality of containers in succession and for moving thecontainers in a substantially circular path, guide means for retainingthe cont-ainer'sin the'pocket wheel, means rotating with said pocketwheel for engaging the seal on each container and for displacingthe-seal from its initial position, and means to produce a relativeshift between each container and said seal engaging means to preventbinding of the seal to the container as the seal is displaced.

8. Ina mechanism of the class described for handling containers havingtubular seals disposed thereon, at least one rotary'pocket wheel forreceiving a plurality of containers in succession and for moving thecontainers in a substantially circular path, guide means for retainingthe containers in the pocket wheel, means rotating with said pocketwheel for engaging the seal on each container and for displacing theseal from its initial position, and means to tilt each container at anangle from the vertical to prevent binding of the seal to the containeras the seal is displaced, said guide means being disposed to allow saidtilting.

9. In a mechanism of the class described for handling containers havingtubular seals disposed thereon, at least one rotary pocket wheel forreceiving a plurality of containers in succession and for moving thecontainers in a substantially circular path, guide means for retainingthe containers in the pocket wheel, a fixed cam, at least one camfollower adapted to follow said cam, and means responsive to theposition of said cam follower for engaging the-seal on each containerand for displacing the seal from its initial position as the containertravels with the pocket Wheel.

10. In a mechanism of the class described for handling containers havingtubular seals disposed thereon, at least one rotary pocket wheel mountedon a vertical shaft for receiving a plurality of containers insuccession and for moving the containers in a substantially circularpath, guide means for retaining the containers in the pocket wheel, arotary spider mounted on said shaft, a cam body mounted concentricallywith said spider and presenting a cam surface, means to prevent rotationof said cam body, at least one cam follower adapted to follow said camsurface, and at least one seal engaging head connected to said camfollower and mounted for rotation with said spider; the configuration ofsaid cam surface being such that when the spider rotates, the camfollower and head will be displaced vertically to displace a seal fromits initial position as the container travels in a circular path.

ll. In a mechanism of the class described for handling 7 containershaving tubular seals disposed thereon, at least one rotary pocket wheelmounted on a vertical shaft for receiving a plurality of containers insuccession and for moving the containers in a substantially circularpath, guide means for retaining the containers in the pocket wheel, arotary spider mounted on said shaft, a cam body mounted concentricallywith said spider and presenting a cam surface, means to prevent rotationof said cam body, at least one cam follower adapted to follow said camsurface, at least one seal engaging head connected to said cam followerand mounted for rotation with said spider, and valve means to supplysuction to said seal to hold the latter in engagement with the head; theconfiguration of said cam surface being such that when the spiderrotates, the cam follower and head will be displaced vertically todisplace a seal from its initial position as the container travels in acircular path.

12. In a mechanism of the class described for handling containers havingtubular seals disposed thereon,

at least one rotary pocket wheel mounted on a vertical shaft forreceiving a plurality of containers in succession and for moving thecontainers in a substantially circular path, guide means for retainingthe containers in the pocket wheel, a rotary spider mounted on saidshaft, a cam body mounted concentrically with said spider and presentinga cam surface, means to prevent rotation of said cam body, at least onecam follower adapted to follow said cam surface, and at least one sealengaging head connected to said cam follower and mounted for rotationwith said spider; the configuration of said cam surface being such thatwhen the spider rotates, the cam follower and head will be displacedvertically to displace a seal from its initial position as the containertravels in a circular path; said head being disposed to produce firmcontact between one side of a seal with the container to provide asubstantial clearance between the other side of the seal and thecontainer to prevent binding therebetween as the seal is displaced.

13. In a mechanism of the class described for handling containers havingtubular seals disposed thereon, at least one rotary pocket wheel mountedon a vertical shaft for receiving a plurality of containers insuccession and for moving the containers in a substantially circularpath, guide means for retaining the containers in the pocket wheel, arotary spider mounted on said shaft, a cam body mounted concentricallywith said spider and presenting a cam surface, means to prevent rotationof said cam body, at least one cam follower adapted to follow said camsurface, and at least one seal engaging head connected to said camfollower and mounted for rotation with said spider; the configuration ofsaid cam surface being such that when the spider rotates, the camfollower and head will be displaced vertically to displace a seal fromits initial position as the container travels in a circular path; saidhead being disposed to tilt the container at an angle from the verticalto prevent binding of a seal to a container as the seal is displaced.

14. In a mechanism of the class described for handling containers havingtubular seals disposed thereon, at least one rotary pocket wheel mountedon a vertical rotary shaft for receiving a plurality of containers insuccession and for moving the containers in a substantially circularpath, guide means for retaining the contairiers in the pocket wheel, arotary spider mounted for rotation with said shaft and having a hub anda plurality of outwardly extending arms, a cam body mountedconcentrically with the hub of said spider and presenting a cam surface,said cam body having a passageway therein with the latter connected to avacuum source, a plurality of cam followers adapted to follow saidsurface, means to prevent rotation of said cam body, valve means mountedfor rotation with said spider and having a plurality of passagewaystherein for successive registration with said first-named passagewayduring rotation of said shaft, a plurality of seal engaging headsconnected to said cam followers and mounted for rotation with saidspider, each head having suction means thereon for holding a seal andwith said suction means connected to one of said second-namedpassageways; the configuration of said cam surface being such that whenthe spider rotates, the cam follower and head will be displacedvertically to displace a seal from its initial position as the containertravels in a circular path.

15. In a mechanism of the class described for handling containers havingtubular seals disposed thereon, at least one rotary pocket wheel mountedon a vertical rotary shaft for receiving a plurality of containers insuccession and for moving the containers in a substantially circularpath, guide means for retaining the containers in the pocket wheel, arotary spider mounted for rotation with said shaft and having a hub anda plurality of outwardly extending arms, a cam body mountedconcentrically with the hub of said spider aand presenting a camsurface, a plurality of cam followers adapted to follow said surface,means to prevent rotation of said cam body, a plurality of verticallymovable seal engaging heads with each head connected to a cam followerand mounted adjacent one of said arms for rotation therewith; theconfiguration of said cam surface being such that when the spiderrotates, each cam follower and head will be displaced vertically; andmeans timed with the rotation of said spider and with the position ofsaid cam followers to apply suction through each successive head to aseal so that vertical displacement of a head will cause verticaldisplacement of a seal from the latters initial position.

No references cited.

